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3 early Ducks trade candidates after 2025 playoff elimination

Originally posted on NHL on ClutchPoints | By Ben Shelley | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 4:09 PM ET

The Anaheim Ducks were officially eliminated from playoff contention this week, following a loss to the Calgary Flames. It marks the seventh straight year in which the Ducks have failed to reach the postseason.

The Ducks are clearly building long-term, but have struggled to really take a step out of their rebuild. A lot of the pieces are in place, but the emphasis is now on getting back to the playoffs.

At the same time, the Ducks do have a few pieces who they could look to move this summer. Below are three possible trade candidates for the team, entering the 2025 offseason.

John Gibson is most likely option to be moved

It’s seemed like John Gibson’s name has come up in trade rumblings for several years now. Ever since the team really began their rebuild, it always felt like Gibson was destined to be traded. Gibson also seemingly didn’t shut down the idea of a possible move.

However, Gibson also struggled to find consistency over a period of about half a decade. The netminder managed just a .900 save percentage across 241 games between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 seasons. While he didn’t have much of a team in front of him for most of that stretch, it was also a far cry from the career .921 save percentage that he held to the end of the 2018-19 season. This certainly hurt his value, along with the netminder still having quite a bit of term on his contract at that point.

However, this seems like possibly the most realistic time for a Gibson trade. He’s seen a bounce back year this season, posting a .912 save percentage over 29 games. Plus with just two years now remaining on his deal, there’s a little less risk for an acquiring team.

The emergence of Lukas Dostal has also given the Ducks another option in net. With Dostal as the future between the pipes, moving Gibson now seems like it’s much more possible.

While Anaheim is getting closer to being competitive, they’re still building long-term. So dealing Gibson for a package involving future assets makes sense. Assuming Gibson is available this summer, there would be quite a few teams who could be in the mix.

Ryan Strome’s name emerged as possible option near trade deadline

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome (16) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Honda Center. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Leading up to the trade deadline, Ryan Strome’s name also seemed to come up as an option.

Strome signed a five-year deal with the Ducks in 2022. He hasn’t necessarily replicated the offensive highs he saw with the New York Rangers, but he’s been able to provide some decent secondary scoring. Strome has managed roughly 40 points per year over his tenure with the Ducks.

If a veteran forward was to be dealt, Strome is likely the best candidate. The team recently re-signed Frank Vatrano, while Alex Killorn’s $6.25 million cap hit would be difficult to move. Meanwhile, Troy Terry, and the majority of the young talent up front would obviously be safe from any possible trade.

At the same time, the Ducks have also seemed to solidify a clear top-nine in the back part of the season. With no pending unrestricted free agents as part of that group, they could enter next season with a similar forward group and leave more time for their young talent to develop.

The scenario where Strome could get moved, though, is if the Ducks were able to make a bigger addition up front in free agency. If a top-six winger was added, someone would end up getting bumped out of the top-nine. If the Ducks were willing to retain salary from Strome’s $5 million cap hit, they could possibly get back a draft pick or two.

While Strome being moved isn’t wildly likely, it’s at least a possibility if the circumstances align this summer.

Ducks were reportedly taking calls on Trevor Zegras

Early into Trevor Zegras’ NHL tenure, it seemed like a no-brainer that he’d be a piece to build around long-term. Zegras posted two straight seasons of 23 goals and 60-plus points, before signing his three-year bridge deal.

However, Zegras has struggled to produce at the same rate and stay healthy since then. He’s also been shifted to the wing for much of Greg Cronin’s tenure as head coach.

The Ducks were reportedly taking calls on Zegras before the trade deadline, per The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta. As a result, it seems like his future in Anaheim is in question.

Of course, there are many reasons why the Ducks shouldn’t move Zegras. His value is much lower now, and he still has a very high ceiling. At his best, he can be exactly what the team needs: a young, skilled forward who fits their timeline to compete. It would be tough for the Ducks to really get back anything that helps them long-term in a trade, more than Zegras would at his best.

But the reality is that Zegras has struggled a bit offensively, and it seems like the Ducks could be weighing their options. So while it’s probably in the team’s best interest to hold onto him, he remains a possible trade candidate this summer.

This article first appeared on NHL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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